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Accra New Town Presby Church gets new district manse and office complex
A newly constructed ultra-modern manse of the Accra New Town Presbyterian Church has been dedicated to enable ministers of the gospel effectively run affairs of the church.
It was dedicated by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Rt Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante and assisted by the Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery, Rev. Dr Nana Opare Kwakye, the District Minister, Rev. M.G Anim-Tetey, among other ministers of the gospel.
A newly-constructed three-storey office complex located at the church premises for the district and a lorry park was also dedicated in addition to the manse.
The manse project commenced in December 2010, and consisted of eight bedrooms and auxiliary facilities, was financed by the members of the church, the district and individuals from home and abroad.
Delivering the sermon on the theme: “Baptism of the Lord, The Holy Spirit, The Witness”, Rt Rev. Prof. Mante admonished the church to have a renewed mind in establishing the kingdom’s agenda.
He urged the church to discard the old things and have a positive mindset for purposeful things.
“Let us have a new heart, spirit and mind and look forward onto God for 2022. I pray that there will be showers of blessings progressively”, he said.
Handing over the edifice to the church, Rt Rev. Prof. Mante asked the leadership of the church to maintain the edifice properly for the purpose of which it was built and dedicated.
The Chairperson of the Ga presbytery, Rev. Dr Kwakye who received the keys, then handed over to the district minister and pledged to utilise the facilities for the intended purposes.
The District Minister Rev Anim-Tetey commended the church and the leadership for their support and commitment towards the building of the manse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
